Neon Genesis Evangelion Chapter 2 Discussion

Yeesh, Gendo is going to make Rei pilot it again? What an a-hole. No real differences in this chapter. I don't remember if the anime already called the Evangelions an "android" by this point though.

Really enjoyed the changes so far. Makes Shinji's dialog makes refusal to get in the Eva more defensible, but giving him more agency is an interesting creative decision compared to source.

Ston3_FreeN7 said:
What is up with the, I guess Evangelion hand reaching through a hole in the wall as Ritsuko and the others are on the boat in the canal?



Yeah. Its like the hand is trying to pierce through the wall for some reason. I can't make much of it no matter how many times I look at it.



I'm not sure if revealing the fact that Eva and the Angels are similar, and that the Angels are basically another life form so early is a good idea. The manga could've revealed this a lot later to evoke a lot more drama imho.



Some interesting facts in this chapter, particularly Shinji being one of the 'Third Children' and that he is the only candidate to synchronise with the Eva, despite having literally zero knowledge about everything that's happening around him. Interested to see what are the criteria that Shinji qualifies to become an Eva pilot.



That aside, it was interesting to see the conversation between Gendo and Shinji. Shinji's reaction is perfectly justified, given the fact that he feels that he's just being used by Gendo. What I find funny is that piloting the Eva and being the savior of the earth is exactly what would give Shinji's life a new purpose (given the fact that he was moping about his life being predictable as always; and that he had no such ambition). You would think Gendo would rather explain Shinji with a lot of calmness, rather than criticizing him for no reason at all. Creating more ill feelings between your son and yourself, particularly when the future of the planet is at stake, is probably not the best way, Gendo.

Prefer the manga to anime right now. Nice character portrayal and uncommon refusal

Not as big a difference as the first chapter but still some nice minor differences like Misato losing her way around NERV, Ritsuko meeting them somewhere else, and Gendo calling Shinji a coward (gives that particular scene more impact).

Not a bad chapter, bit boring

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                        This chapter contained one of the Iconic moments in the Neon Genesis Evangelion universe.  I personally don’t think that Shinji was wrong in refusing to pilot the Eva.

Less boring than the Anime though, better pacing

What is up with the, I guess Evangelion hand reaching through a hole in the wall as Ritsuko and the others are on the boat in the canal?



Also, it's interesting that Ritsuko outright states that the Eva are life forms, it was a mystery for quite a while in the anime. Also a similarity between Angel's and Eva is already pointed out.



As many times as I've seen this sequence, it only just occurred to me that maybe Gendo was using the injured Rei to "convince" Shinji to pilot, though, considering certain things, I'm not sure if that is viable thinking on my part. More likely she's the only option at that point. Also, damn at Gendo calling Shinji a coward.